Super Bowl XLIV Matchup Preview
Written by Marc Jenkins
Super Bowl XLIV is approaching fast and the excitement is beginning to build to extreme levels. Everyone knows that Super Bowl Sunday is the biggest day in American professional sports and is one of the grandest spectacles in all sports around the world. Both the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints both have shown all season that they deserve to be here and now that the game is near seem all the more worthy of this incredible accomplishment. Here are some crucial stats, matchups and observations that could determine the outcome of this year’s Super Bowl.
During the regular season the Indianapolis Colts played well on the offensive side of the football. They ranked ninth in the NFL in total offensive yards per game (361.1), second in passing yards per game (282.2), only 32nd in rushing yards per game (80.9) and seventh in points per game (26.0). On the defense the Colts continued to implement their bend but don’t break philosophy as they ranked 18th in total yards allowed per game (339.2), 14th in passing yards allowed per game (212.7), 24th in rushing yards allowed per game (126.5) and eighth in points allowed per game (19.2).
In the postseason the Colts picked up their defensive game a notch and remained playing offense at the same high level as they did during the season. On offense the Colts averaged 368 yards, 296.5 passing yards, 71.5 rushing yards and 25 points per game during their two postseason games. On defense the under-sized, underappreciated Indy defense only allowed 329 yards, 242.5 passing yards, 86.5 rushing yards and 10 points per game.
The Saints had an incredible regular season on the offensive side of the ball as well. During the 16-game schedule they ranked first in the NFL in total offensive yards per game (403.8), fourth in passing yards per game (272.2), sixth in rushing yards per game (131.6) and first in points scored per game (31.9). The Saints defense struggled from time to time throughout the season and ranked just 25th in yards allowed per game (357.8), 26th in passing yards allowed per game (235.6), 21st in rushing yards allowed per game and 20th in points allowed per game (21.3).
During New Orleans’ two playoff games their offense continued to soar while the defense continued to give up huge yards and points. On offense they averaged 337.5 total yards, 218 passing yards, 119.5 rushing yards and 38 points scored per game. On defense the Saints allowed 417 total yards, 284 passing yards, 133 rushing yards and 21 points per game. If the Saints are expecting to win this game versus the Colts they need their defense to play much better.
The first key matchup to focus on during this contest will be Darren Sharper and the rest of the New Orleans’ secondary attempting to read Peyton Manning and try to stop him from the ball all around the field. If Manning gets into a comfortable rhythm in the pocket then expect another Super Bowl MVP performance for the Sheriff. If Sharper and the rest of the Saints’ DB’s can do a god job of neutralizing him then they might have a chance.
The second key matchup will be Dwight Freeny, Robert Mathis and the rest of the Colts front seven attempting to contain the Saints running game. The Saints are one of the best teams at running the football and the Colts give up big yards on the ground at times. If Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush and Mike Bell can have big games against the Indy front seven then it will confuse them when it is time for Drew Brees to drop back and throw. If the Colts can stop the Saints running game as they did against the Ravens and Jets then they will have another Lombardi trophy.
If Indianapolis doesn’t turn the ball over then this game should just be a pre-coronation for crowning them NFL Champs. In the NFC Championship game they need the Vikings to turn the ball over five times just to win by three points in overtime. I don’t see Peyton making those kinds of mistakes which is why in the end I like the Colts to beat the Saints big, 34-17.
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